LOD’s 2018 Midwest League Preview

Our Midwest League coverage is back for 2018 and as always, we start things off with the annual season preview. Last year’s MWL campaign featured top prospects, dramatic games, and many memorable moments. 2018 looks as though it is poised to follow suit. All 16 teams will field some top prospects this year, so without further ado, let’s dive right in with our team previews!

Photo by Mathew Carper

Eastern Division:

The Hot Rods made the playoffs for the second straight year in 2017. Unfortunately for the Midwest League’s lone Kentucky club, they were also eliminated in the first round for the second straight year. The roster looks solid for the Hot Rods in 2018 as they are led by the Rays number three prospect, the two way Louisville product, Brendan McKay.

It was a 24 game swing for the Dragons in 2017 as they posted just 47 wins the year prior. The Dragons made it to the Midwest League semifinals last year, their first playoff appearance since 2011, before falling to Fort Wayne. There is a lot of excitement going on in Ohio as the Reds top pick in the 2017 draft, Hunter Greene, will start the season just 54 miles north of Cincinnati in Dayton.

The Padres have one of the top farm systems in the game and it was frequently showcased in Fort Wayne last year. All signs point to another talented squad suiting up for the Friars Single-A club again in 2018. The roster is highlighted by number one overall LHP prospect and former number three overall draftee, MacKenzie Gore. The TinCaps made a run to the Midwest League Championship series in 2017 where they were swept by Quad Cities. With a young and talented roster like this, don’t be surprised if they secure a playoff spot in the first half of 2018.

The Great Lakes Loons took home the 2016 Midwest League Championship despite finishing with an overall record ten games under .500. The 2017 edition of the Loons finished just one game under .500 last year, but didn’t have the same luck as they missed the playoffs completely. Fans will see a lot of familiar faces in Midland this season as the Loons return quite a few players from last year’s squad.

Lake County finished with the worst record in the league last year despite being loaded with a lot of young Indians talent. They bring some top names to this club like highly touted third base prospect Nolan Jones. There are also some strong returners from last year’s squad like Todd Isaacs Jr.

Arguably the most exciting team to watch in the 2017 Midwest League season, last year’s squad boasted names like Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Bo Bichette, and J.B. Woodman just to name a few. Although those guys have moved on, the 2018 edition of the Lugnuts will feature five top prospects. It is also worth mentioning that Roger Clemens‘ son, Kacy, is on the roster. We all know how well former MLB player’s sons are doing in the Blue Jays organization.

The South Bend Cubs failed to make the playoffs last year despite owning the second best overall record in the Eastern Division. They were one of the more consistent teams in 2017 and the Cubs return eight players from that squad. There are six of the Cubs top 30 prospects on this team and five of them are pitchers.

The Whitecaps had the best record by 12 wins in 2017 despite starting the season with just three of the Tigers top 30 prospects. Unfortunately for the Whitecaps, they were ousted in the first round of the playoffs by Dayton. There will be 12 2017 Tigers draft picks on this year’s team and former first round pick Matt Manning is tabbed for West Michigan, but will start on the DL.

Fans in Burlington will get to see the 2017 10th overall draft pick, Jo Adell, take the field on opening day. They will boast perhaps the best outfield in the Midwest league this season as Adell will be joined by Brandon Marsh and Torii Hunter Jr. Four players from the 2017 squad return to the Bees.

The Kernels finished second overall in their division for the second year in a row. They were knocked out of the playoffs in last year’s semi-finals when they dropped the series 2-1 to the eventual MWL champs, Quad Cities. This year’s club will be one to watch as they are loaded with some of the organizations top prospects. Nine 2017 Kernels return to Cedar Rapids. It should be a good year for the Twins Single-A affiliate.

The LumberKings may have a new manager in town, but the club will feature nine players that spent time in Clinton last year. The familiarity will be a key factor to the LumberKings 2018 success as the Opening Day Roster fields just three of the Mariners top 30 prospects with the highest ranked being number 23 on that list.

Although 2017 saw an early playoff exit in Geneva, there was still a lot to get excited about. The Cougars had a very steady season and we got to witness players like Jon Duplantier and Anfernee Grier make a name for themselves. Former big leaguer Blake Lalli will lead the Cougars as manager in 2018.

It was an early exit for the Chiefs in the 2017 playoffs as Quad Cities knocked them out in the first round. There are seven players coming back from last year’s roster. One interesting note is that there are only two left-handed pitchers on the opening day roster.

The Quad Cities River Bandits brought a championship to the city of Davenport, Iowa in 2017 and they have nine players returning from last year’s squad. An exciting aspect of the Bandits roster this year is that former University of Iowa power hitter, Jake Adams, will be returning to the state where he played his college ball. Adams and #3 prospect J.B Bukauskas are sure to be fan favorites as the Astros Single-A affiliate chases a repeat.

2017 was a rough year for baseball fans in Appleton, but every new season brings new hope. Seven Timber Rattlers return from last year’s squad. Promising 19 year old outfielder Tristen Lutz will be making his full season debut in Wisconsin. Lutz mashed Rookie ball pitching in 2017 and posted a .957 OPS.

Jake resides in Carrollton, GA and loves everything baseball. He is a lifelong Atlanta Braves fan and enjoys traveling to watch their Minor League teams. He graduated from the University of West Georgia with a Bachelor's Degree in Sport Management. Jake is also a certified personal trainer and has a passion for fitness and weight lifting. You can find his personal site at berrysbaseball.com